A shocking double murder case involving three women from Kerala has emerged in California, where one woman has been arrested in connection with the deaths of two of her close friends.
The two victims, Anjana Hari, 35, from Thrissur, and Ann Mary Mathew, 40, from Thiruvananthapuram, died within minutes of each other on August 28, according to their families and local officials. Their mutual friend, Anila, 32, from Kottayam, was arrested by the Milpitas Police Department and is suspected of being involved in both deaths.
The circumstances of the two deaths were different. Anjana was killed in what police described as a hit-and-run incident at the Mill Creek apartment complex in Milpitas. Officers responding to the scene found her with serious injuries and she was pronounced dead there. Police later located a blue SUV matching the description of the vehicle involved and arrested a 32-year-old Milpitas resident.
Around the same time, Ann was found dead inside her home on Linda Vista Street in San Jose. She had suffered a single stab wound. San Jose police treated the death as a homicide and said the victim and suspect were known to each other.
The developments have left the families of the victims struggling to understand what happened. Relatives said the three women were close friends and had recently spent time together, including celebrating Onam and watching a movie.
Rajagopal, a relative of Anjana, said the families had no clear understanding of what could have led to the alleged killings. He said even the husbands of the women were unaware of any dispute or possible motive.
All three women were living in the United States with their husbands and children and had separate professional lives. Anjana worked as a school teacher, while Ann was an engineer.
Ann's family in Kerala is also in deep shock. Thressyama Thomas, a municipal councillor in Thiruvananthapuram who knows the family, said Ann had visited Kerala in June for her father's 70th birthday.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to bring the victims' bodies back to India. Thrissur MP Suresh Gopi said he had spoken to India's Consul General in San Francisco regarding the repatriation process. However, he said the process could take time because the police investigation into the deaths is still underway.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances and possible motive behind the two deaths.
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